Festive party clothes
With a one-way ticket to Bamako in hand, we escaped, for the duration of Xuly Bët's show, to a colorful, gay and sensual festival animated by the sounds of Radio Bamako. Unicolor smocked and bubble dresses with red topstitching, the brand's trademark, (also done in African, batik or madras prints, abstract tachist prints, 70's style faded fabrics) in bustier, off-the-shoulder, spaghetti strap or puffy sleeve styles create a sexy silhouette. One could also opt for the swirling gypsy skirt worn with a West Indies-style midriff-baring off the shoulder camisole. Next came a series of transparent chiffon djellabas in multicolored prints and in varying lengths, either form-fitting or loose tunics worn over pants or a white shirt-dress. In a more urban vein, a series of models in brut or faded denim, all with the trademark red topstitching, included oversized hiphuggers with large upturned hems (worn with small tops, bandeaus or wide denim belts), baggy or form-fitting capri pants, and short shorts. There were skirts and dresses in all lengths (super-mini, knee length, calf length, long) and forms (bustier, oversized, long dresses that were shorter in front, straight skirts, wraparound, umbrella or gypsy skirts). Jackets were most often tight-fitting, with or without collars or sleeves, or else oversized with giant velcro closures. While our favorite hooded tops were a rarity because of the summer season, the models were protected from the African sun by large turbans in fabrics that coordinated with the dresses.
Virginie Transon
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